We aim to provide the best possible learning environment for pre-school children. This means teaching and learning through play. Play is how children under five learn. We make sure the atmosphere is a happy one, where children feel secure, valued and safe. We provide a good mix of free and structured play, encouraging the children to explore different materials and activities.
We foster imagination, social interaction, self-expression and creativity. Children hone their motor skills using constructional toys, and learn letters, words and numbers through stories, rhymes and structured play. We have an excellent outside play area that incorporates a purpose built undercover area and a bespoke pirate ship. We operate a free-flow play scheme to allow children to make the most of this space.
Playschool Hours
Morning Afternoon
Monday 9.30am -12.30pm Closed
Tuesday 9.30am-12.00/12.30pm 12.00/12.30pm-3.00pm
Wednesday 9.30am-12.00/12.30pm 12.00/12.30pm-3.00pm
Thursday 9.30am-12.00/12.30pm 12.00/12.30pm-3.00pm
Friday 9.30am-12.00/12.30pm 12.00/12.30pm-3.00pm
NB Sessions are subject to change, depending on numbers.
All day sessions are available on Tuesday to Friday from 09.30 to 15.00.
Lunch Club
If you choose to bring your child at the earlier time of 1200 we will be running a “lunch club” between 1200 and 1230. Your child will bring their own HEALTHY lunch box and will have the opportunity to eat their lunch with the other children and staff. We will continue to offer the children milk or water with their lunch.
As lunch places are limited, “going to school” children will have priority and are allocated on a first come, first served basis. Lunch club is part of your child’s session and should be attended regularly.
When preparing the lunch box please be mindful of children with allergies, (for example, no nuts, eggs or kiwi). Children will be reminded that their lunch box is their own and not to be shared. The staff will assist the children with their lunch but we would appreciate if, where possible, it is in child-friendly packaging.
If you are interested in your child joining the lunch club please contact Julie Ash (subject to availability).
| 0930 |
Welcome and settle. |
| |
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| 0945 - 1000 |
Registration and discussion.
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| 1000 - 1130 |
Free flow play, including Outdoor play
Children are presented with a wide range of play and learning opportunities from which they are free to choose. They are encouraged and extended in their play by a dedicated team of adults.
|
| 1015 - 1100 |
Prepare snack and serve
Within the Free-play session the “Snack Bar” is open. The children can then decide when to have a snack themselves. This enables the children to make choices and to finish any activity at their own speed.
Children are made aware of the rules of the “Snack Bar”:
- Go to the toilet, wash hands.
- Sit at the table.
- Choose a drink and snack.
- When finished, return to free-play.
Outdoor play
Includes large group games, use of bikes, scooters, trikes, cars, bats, balls, beanbags etc. The children are encouraged to share and take turns, play in small groups or teams for catching, throwing etc.
|
| 1100 - 1110 |
Kitchen to be tidied.
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| 1120 - 1130 |
Children come in and tidy up inside. Staff to direct children to areas to tidy.
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| 1130 - 1145 |
The children join together as a group in the book corner to choose and read the books of their choice.
|
| 1145 – 1155 |
Singing and Story
Group singing/music/circle games or movement to music, developing and appreciation of rhythm, music and maths and the language elements in songs and nursery rhymes.
Group story time developing listening skills, language and literacy skills, prediction and sequencing as well as being a fun group activity to finish the session.
Staff not involved in group activity to organise children’s pictures and letters. Also arrange table for lunch.
|
| 1155-1200 |
Children not staying for lunch are encouraged to put on their own coats and line up at the fire door.
Children that are staying for lunch are asked to wash their hands and use the toilet.
|
| 1200-1205 |
Member of staff opens bottom door and greets/takes register of children arriving for lunch.
|
| 1205-1225 |
Lunch club
All children eat together. Special care is taken with children with allergies.
|
| 1225-1230 |
Children leaving are encouraged to put on their own coats and line up at fire door.
Children that are staying put their lunch boxes away, choose a book and sit on the red mats.
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| 1230-1245 |
Afternoon children arrive and join existing children on the mat.
Welcome, registration and discussion.
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| 1245-1420 |
Free flow play, including Outdoor play
(As per morning session).
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| 1310-1345 |
Prepare snack and serve.
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| 1420-1430 |
Tidy up time.
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| 1430-1455 |
Group time as per morning.
|
| 1500 |
Home |
All Day Sessions ...
The timetable for all day sessions is as above, and we are careful to ensure that activities are not repeated during the same day.
Places for all day sessions are limited. If you are interested in your child attending playschool all day please contact Julie Ash to discuss availability.
The Importance of Being on Time ...
When children are dropped off or collected late, it can be very disruptive to the routine described above and can also be unsettling for the children. Please help us to make every session run smoothly by making every effort to be on time.
For LATE COLLECTION please refer to the “Uncollected Child” policy which states “Depending on circumstances, we reserve the right to charge parents for the additional hours worked by our staff.” For LATE ARRIVAL, should you be continually late arriving you will be sent a letter explaining why being late is unacceptable. After which, should you still persistently be late the Supervisor will have the right to refuse your child admission.